Any automobile accident can cause severe injuries and damage to your vehicle. But not all car accidents are the same. Eighteen-wheeler, also known as a commercial vehicle, accidents present a greater risk of devastating injuries to the passengers in the vehicles with which they collide. Unfortunately, injured persons often face high medical bills and months of physical therapy following a truck accident in Dallas.
Legally, commercial vehicle accidents are more complex than accidents between passenger cars. Governmental regulations place specific duties on trucking companies and truck drivers that are involved in accidents. Additionally, there are usually more than two parties involved in commercial vehicle accidents, despite only two cars being involved in an accident.
Understanding the effect of multiple parties creates beneficial legal opportunities for the experienced attorney early in the litigation process. This brings me to my next point, trucking companies primarily work with lawyers that mostly handle commercial vehicle accident cases. This is why it is important to find an attorney who understands commercial vehicle accidents and has experience navigating the complicated rules and regulations governing commercial vehicles.
The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates commercial trucking companies and truck drivers. FMCSA regulations place specific duties on trucking companies to ensure that they are hiring qualified drivers, who can follow strict safety rules once on the road.
For example, drivers must be drug tested “as soon as practicable” following a serious accident. And, the trucking must complete a thorough accident investigation. Further, the truck drivers must keep detailed logbooks of their trips and take designated rest periods. You need an attorney that can ask the right questions and ensure that the trucking company doesn’t let crucial evidence like a driver’s long hours or failed drug test hide in the cracks.
The operation of commercial vehicles like 18-wheelers often involves multiple companies. For example, a tractor could be owned by Company A, who has been paid by Company B to tow a trailer belonging to Company C. All while the driver of the commercial vehicle is an independent contractor of Company D. Who is at fault for the accident? Which company or companies bear responsibility?
In addition to these questions, important jurisdictional issues and determinations arise. Is there more than one place that I can file the lawsuit? Is one better for me than the other? These jurisdictional issues likely determine where your lawsuit will be filed. You need an attorney that understands these unique issues and who can determine your best option.
If you have been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, don’t let the trucking company hurt you again. You should hire an attorney with experience analyzing the complex legal issues involved in commercial vehicle accidents like Julie Johnson. Contact the Law Office of Julie Johnson, Call us today at 214-290-8001.
